Blurb:
Some dream of fame and fortune, but it isn’t always everything one might think it will be. It doesn’t matter what entertainment industry you’re in, you have to sacrifice, and when it comes to love, well that brings on a million other issues.
Inside you’ll find three stories about men in the limelight. They worked hard to gain the fame they’ve found, but in doing so, they all have longed for one thing — Love. Some things might come easy for these men, but when it comes to sharing their hearts, things are never simple and either are the men they desire.
H.L. Holston & Eleanor Bruce, Guest Post
Eleanor and I never know what to write about when we do a guest post. Which is strange, because Eleanor works as a technical writer, and I teach writing/reading for a living. We use words everyday in our professional lives, but get stumped when asked to do a blog post! But, in the end, we decided to talk about what brought us together as a writing team.
About ten years ago, we were first introduced by a mutual friend in slash fandom and while both us have always loved the hot man on man action; it was our mutual love of Bruce Springsteen that really solidified our friendship. We could wax lyrically about Bruce’s music, how many times we’ve seen him in concert, how we’ve driven — and flown — across state lines to see him over the years, but if we did that, we’d be here for hours! So, we’ll skip ahead to how we started writing M/M.
On vacation in New Orleans after too many Hurricanes, Hand Grenades and Margaritas, we came up with the concept for our first book, The Moon’s Dirty Light, a paranormal M/M book which poked fun at shifter tropes. After that, there was a sequel, Beneath the 13th Moon (all titles come from Springsteen lyrics) and now in the Limelight anthology, we decided to try the fake boyfriend trope in Suck This, Neil Patrick Harris.
This novella is a departure for us as we decided to try humor as the underlying theme for the book. The main character, Dante is an actor whose career isn’t going anywhere because his personal life is a train wreck. Cue getting a fake boyfriend to try and seem more stable to Hollywood casting directors and you have the plot of our novella. In between scamming casting agents and his fans, Dante finds the time to land his dream role…and a (fake) boyfriend. Hopefully, you’ll like Dante and his love interest, Chris as much as we do.
Along with Sara York and E.M. Leya, we think this anthology offers up a good balance of angst, love and happily ever afters set in the entertainment industry. We hope you like our contribution!
in the doorway.
straighter as Wyatt took a seat across from him. “So nursing, huh? It
suits you.”
a vet, but that was too many years stuck in school. I enjoy this. Now that I’m
back home and working here, it’s nice. I worked in Phoenix for about a year, but hated every
minute of it.” Wyatt leaned back, stretching his long legs out in front of
him.
hate living in the city. I miss this place.”
gleam in Wyatt’s eyes. “Yeah, I don’t think that would work. Most my
business is in California.
It’s just easier to stay there.” Honestly, he hated it and thought about
moving back all the time, but the main reason he didn’t was sitting right
across from him.
didn’t hide the way his gaze traveled over Jon’s body.
the same stare, and then wished he hadn’t. He could still remember that body
pressed up against his, the taste of Wyatt’s lips against his own. It was as if
it all happened yesterday.
coffee downstairs and catch up?” Wyatt asked.
ago. I was hoping you were still here.”
head. “Sorry, that was rude. It’s just…” Jon stood and went to the
doorway, looking down the hall.
too, but I miss you. Miss talking about stuff. You’re my best friend.”
look at him.
ever know me like you do.”
Wyatt.”
sometimes.”
struggling with the emotions he’d locked away for so long. “Sometimes it
seems longer.” He shrugged. “I didn’t even know you’d gone to
school.”
when you left. I figured you weren’t checking up on me much.”
asked about him, but he did look for him every time he came back to town. Okay,
so that wasn’t often, but still, Wyatt was always on his mind when he was
visiting. “Can you blame me?”
Excerpt
Chris and Katie go at it like this before. Sure, they had bickered on set, but
this was a war of words. If Dante had one ounce of bisexuality in his bones, he
would have been cheering for them to make out after they stopped arguing. They were
that hot together in the heat of passion. He was beginning to see the appeal of
their coupling from the show now. No wonder Space
Pirates fans had cried when Katie’s character had died in Chris’ arms.
stop this now. At least half the crowd had out their cell phones and were
filming Chris and Katie’s argument. Going from past experience, Dante knew the
clips would be up on YouTube within minutes. He had damage control to do.
himself between his two former co-stars and shouted, “Enough!”
him in confusion, Katie, well, she looked impressed he’d intervened.
Chris’ hand tightly, glanced to the other man for permission, and when Chris
nodded, Dante said in a deliberately loud voice, strong enough to reach the
line of fans still strolling in the front door of Hollywood Book and Poster.
sprung this on you here, Katie and not in private beforehand. But, I’m not
going to apologize for dating Chris.” He paused dramatically, and forty fannish
faces pressed in closer to listen. “Not when I feel like the luckiest
son-of-a-bitch on the planet that he even agreed to go out with me. He’s
everything I ever wanted in a partner, and I refuse to hide the fact we’re a couple.”
next monologue on thick.
and what he hoped was adoringly into Chris’ face, he said, “I love him and I’m
keeping him for as long as he’ll have me!”
heard a pin drop. They were well and truly out of the closest now. Katie’s
expression had softened a bit from her previous stance, but Dante could tell
from the fire still in her eyes, they’d have more explaining to do after the
autograph signing.
appeared doubtful, the crowd around them erupted into chaos. More phones came
out and their fans’ commentary started:
Chris and you been dating?”
was straight?”
triumphant voice exclaimed, “I knew they were f**king! I knew it.”
Slade’s, his thumb playing with the button of Slade’s jeans. “I’ve been
watching you all night, and God, I’ve wanted to touch you.”
lights flickered. The rain came down, growing louder as the thunder died out.
Corbin leaned back, his gaze searching. “Let’s eat and then we can figure out
what…Mmm, damn, you sure are sexy.”
Corbin’s touch. “Eat first, then maybe something else later?”
very much. He was hot and getting hotter, but Corbin hadn’t eaten. The guy was
probably starving.
you. Are you visiting with your family?”
pulled out a chair, holding it for Corbin. He was a southern gentleman. No
matter who he liked to fuck, he’d been raised with manners, and those manners
would be used.
into his seat. “Nice touch. I think we’ll most definitely be doing something
after I’m no longer starving.”
and picked up his burger, taking a bite. He moaned and closed his eyes,
focusing on the flavors in the meat. “They really are good burgers.”
awards, nothing big, but you know, it helps.”
bite as he stared at Corbin, taking in his small frame and lean muscles. The
guy really was beautiful. If only he could stay on this island, then maybe he
could actually have a relationship. But he’d be gone in a few weeks. Perhaps
Corbin wouldn’t mind a part-time gig. Hell, he might actually enjoy it.
You can find E.M at
Writing is Sara York’s life. The stories fight to get out, often leaving her working on four or five books at once. She can’t help but write. Along with her writing addiction she has a coffee addiction. Some nights, the only reason she stops writing and goes to sleep is for the fresh brewed coffee in the morning. Sara enjoys writing twisted tales of passion, anger, and love with a good healthy dose of lust thrown in for fun.
You can find Sara at
This sounds incredibly fun!
Oh, this sounds absolutely lovely. Thank you for the excerpts =)
I really enjoyed the excerpts. Sounds interesting. 🙂
This anthology sounds great.